Environment

Do you use green lanes? Do you agree motor vehicles should be kept away, or do you think they should be available for all to use? Let us know.

Will Sidebotham
We have a number of green lanes around the area I live. Up until recently these green lanes have been used and enjoyed by people for walking, cycling & 4 x 4 drivers. These parties always co-existed nicely, however there is a new breed of "green laners" that seem to be emptying out of the towns to terrorise local communities. Every weekend we are now plaqued by in my opionion "intellectually challenged" individuals who seem to have no idea of how to behave in a green lane situation. They are fundamentally off roaders who have found a free source of entertainment. As an example this happended this Sunday, Out for a walk with two under 5 children, a dog on a Sunday morning before 9am and we were faced with quad bikes going way too fast, in my opinion out of control, forced me & my family to take to the hedge to avoid being flattened. I attempted to remonstrate with 4 individuals who then became abusive & aggressive. Nice behaviour. These are not the Green laners I knew of the past & are spoiling it for the majority. This is just one incident that we experienced, other locals have other such stories. As a result we are fed up with this on a regular weekend basis & as such are now attempting to get this byway reclassifed, which is a shame as it could have been carried on being shared by all to enjoy.

david pritchard
yes i think 4x4s should be aloud 2 use green lanes

A. Dingle
I occasionally use and enjoy green lanes for off roading, and I respect the lanes and the other people that use them, it is not fair to judge people by the method they use to explore the lanes [motorised vehicles], it is their individual actions and attitude that should be judged, I always stop for horses and pedestrians and smile or nod, but I still get funny looks and abuse from a lot of them, I agree that there are many hooligans that mis-use the lanes, but as already said these people will not take notice of bans anyway

Andy
These green lanes have been around for many years with all sorts of people using them as they wish.I love to escape the rat race in my land rover and enjoy and teach my children about the great outdoors the wildlife in the the country side the way many of farmers have done for years. why do we all now days have do as others say by dictating the way we as individuals can live our lives ,I say let people live and do has they choose in a respectful way, there are to many interfering people out their that if they channeled their energy into sorting out the urban street life the world would be a better place for all .

Paul
I think thees lanes/ byeways should be avaiable for all to use 4x4's ,horses, walkers etc as we all have a right to freedom to explore the country side with ever way we choose.

JOHN ARNOLD - AWMMC
VEHICLES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO USE GREEN LANES THAT HAVE BEEN USED SINCE THE BIRTH OF THE MOTOR CAR.

Karl Bailey
Only around 5% of green lanes permit motor vehicles. If you don't want to see them please walk on the 95% and don't be so greedy. Its a very small amount of people that don't follow the country code. Please don't tar every one with the same brush. Just remember use them or lose them.

Phil Goodhall
I agree with Brian Nicholls, area Glass rep. It is the matter of education which is paramount.Those that use the lanes with reckless abandonment are spoiling it for the rest of us. Walkers, riders, and motors can coexist as long as the rules of the countyside are upheld and we can show a little common courtesy to one another. Also knowing when not to use the lanes would also help to preserve them.

Adam cripps
The contry side can be used by both walkers etc and motor vehicals, off roaders are now only alound to driv on 5% of britains greenlanes and tracks, so why cant we keep that small percantage, walkers have footpaths all to themselfs, we have greenlanes that both walkes horseriders and off roaders can used together. A keen off roader myslef i respect the views of all. But there are so many places we cant drive, dont take the small percentage of lanes we can drive

simon holland
i do use green lane and im a member of glass you shouldnt put all off roaders in the same class a few people ruin it for the rest of us its a good way of seeing the countryside if the track gets bad i turn back if i see people riding horses i get out of the way and switch of the engine if you ban 4x4 off green lanes youll only stop the people that respect and use them properly even if you ban 4x4s off green lanes the people that cause the damage will still use them

Chris Jones
As a disabled person I have enough difficulty accessing the countryside already, without a selfish minority trying to close my already limited rights of way. I use a 4x4 because I have to, I don't have the luxury of being able to walk or cycle or ride into the areas that others can.I look forward to the day that a disabled person challenges a TRO on a green lane under the disability discrimination act.

Ben Bow
I think that lanes in suitable condition should be open to all. Walkers can cause their own levels of damage too. In a lane local to me some put balled up barbed wire in puddles to try and sabotage car tires. Imagine if a horse had become entangled in this! I, and those I know who use lanes with 4x4 vehicles do so with the utmost respect. If we didn't we'd lose the ability to drive down these fantastic lanes. Don't tar everyone with the same brush just because theres a few fools out there, they're on the roads too you know.

Frank Watson
Green lanes are no place for motor vehicles.

N Hall
Illegal riding Is just that!, why close byways to law abiding trail riders who just want to enjoy the countryside, because a minority of idiots riding illegaly terrorize other green lane users. I know The ramblers would rather trail riders weren't allowed on the lanes, but provided we are courteous why is there a problem?, banning legitimate use wont prevent illegal use.

julie bosworth wheathill shrops
having been brought up in shropshire regularly using tracks and green lanes on horse back with motorbikes and vehicles i believe they should be available for all to use , the main people who cause problems in my experience are walkers, for example whilst out on motorbikes with my young nephews on a lane which crosses our land we slowed down to pass some walkers only to discover on our return that they had pulled numerous branches out of the hedges and laid them across the track with the obvious intention of causing an accident on our return, not a very public spirited attitude in my view

Mike Bingham
Byways Open to All Traffic should stay as that. If you wish ride a horse without interference from motorised mechanical forms of transport use a bridleway. If you wish to walk without other forms of transport around, use a country footpath its simple But don't stop others enjoying the countryside in their own way. Even walkers cause damage, so don't blame it all on the other users from a walker, a cyclist, a horse rider,and a driver. I just enjoy being in the countryside, thats why I live there.

Bollins
keep them open for bikes as long as they are road legal and may be members of a green laning club, They should not be open to looneys who tare about causing damage, after all it is the looneys that give us all a bad reputation

Ben roberts
I have just started to use green lanes for the use of off roading.A further interst to me also is that my relatives who were hawkers and travellers would of used them to get around the shropshire hills about the time of the 17 hundreds. So long as we use them with respect to others and the lanes them selves then there shouldn't be a problem, it's not as though there's traffic jams. As for the man who thinks they should be leveled why doesn't he move to the city. Just a thought mate!

Alan Green
should be open to all not just able boddied

Graham Hagan
A great read i must say,different views different opions all individually thought,by individual people,just voicing ones opinion as one is entitled.As a green laning person myself,a mountain biker,a walker,a nature lover too and i, like most other green laners have the utmost respect for our English countryside and like the rambleon ramblers am sure they too,but we (greenlaners)dont frown upon walkers because they stand in our way when we are travelling at speeds a little more than there walking pace enjoying the countryside as they do,frown we do not, smile and curteous so we are,and what do we get in return verbal and acostings.i can put up with that i just put it down to may be there lack of misinterpretation of the ground in which they walk upon,lets face it most green lanes would perhaps of disappeared for it wasnt for people like us...besides correct me if im wrong,ive not heard of rambleon ramblers repairing all the damage which they do,like some societies of 4x4 and greenlaners do,oh voluntary of course,a pat on the back for you guys and such like..For everyone to use these such lanes and enjoy the the beautiful countryside we have, and to treat it and its fellow users with respect young and old.its nice to get away from the rat race of life to the peace and tranquility of the medeows am sure you agree .PEACE & PROSPERITY to you all....

Justin
Nice to see a sencible array of comments.I think all rights of way should be maintained and open to they're intended users.I'm a keen walker, cyclist and greenlane driver, when walking I'm anoyed sometimes that mud can be left by other types of users, when cycling it's sometimes anoying that horses and motor vehicles make it hard for me to ride my bike etc. Anoying does not meen that these other users should be banned, far from it it just meens I'm anoyed some times and will get over it ;)The county side is there or all users, education is key not strict control.

david kay
free the green lanes n let us on

Maurice Courcha
We should treasure ALL our ancient roads, not just the ones whose surface has not been sealed with tarmac. There are charming sunken lanes in Dorsetshire for instance which are now C class roads. It is only the tarmac surface that takes away these road's individuality and their impression of antiquity. Maybe we should decide to stop maintaining certain country roads and allow the tarmac surface to flake off and reveal their original stone surface. Something like this happens to country roads in Ireland where the local authorities cannot afford the maintenance cost for these obscure lanes. Then more people would have to use 4WD vehicles in the countryside and experience a more leisurely pace of travel.

george davies
i am a trail rider, i use a motorcycle fully road legal and quiet enough not to cause offence.i pay my road tax,insurance and put my bike through an mot yearly.why then, is it i am considered to be a nuisance when green laning in legal areas,please do not make the mistake of associating myself and others of the same ilk,with some cap wearing fool with a scooter and manic grin when,all i want to do is see the countryside.only a few weeks ago on a lane nearby,i encountered three horse riders. ikilled my engine.lights and waited,they came by,said thank you and smiled and carried on happily.just goes to show we CAN ALL USE THE SAME LANES EASILY, with a bit of common sence

Karl Weatherhead
Green lanes should be used and more importantly ENJOYED by everyone! There is too many things you cannot do today and green lanes, As long as they are respected should not have restrictions.

Elizabeth Parrott
I think green lanes tell a fascinating story about our old forgotten geographies. They are 'desire lines' that tell us where it was that people wanted to go in the past. They should be preserved and celebrated and not available to motor traffic.

s young
yes motor vehicles should able too use green lanes.

craig johnson
i think it is unfair not to let off road vehicles down green lanes as originally they were used by horse and cart now we have motor cars instead and as an off road driver myself i belive true off-road drivers would be appreciative that we are not all fast driving idiots but wish to try new things and are very responsible

Simon Scott
I use green lanes for walking but I think motor vehicles should be allowed access so younger children and people less fit can enjoy the beauty of the countryside.

Bryony Karasek
Green lanes allow us such a unique glimpse into the past. They are often one of the only places to spot certain species of plant or animal. Why ruin them by letting motor vehicles use them? Many are barely wide enough to walk or ride a horse down.....and a comment to the gentleman who dislikes country lanes so much. Why do you not live in an urban area? I have ridden horses in Shropshire for over thirty years and really appreciate the peace and quiet and the opportunity to not have to ride on roads where a large number of drivers have no thought or care for equine or foot traffic.

Brian Nicholls (GLASS representative for Cheshire)
Green lanes - a term loosly used to describe a type of right of way. The Green Lane Association is a national user group, dedicated to researching and protecting the UK's unique heritage of ancient vehicular rights of way and promoting sensible driving in the countryside. I do use Byways Open to All Traffic, Unclassified roads and other routes where there is proven vehicular access. In other words I only drive where I am legally allowed to do so and with a vehicle that has a current MOT, is insured and has a current road fund licence. GLASS and other organisations take disabled groups into the countryside, we are members of emergency response teams, we assisst the Rights of Way Officers with the repair of byways. As responsible people,we use and respect the countryside and try to educate others.

David Bartlett
I am a very enthusiastic green laner and have been since a boy, and in my personal opinion any one sensible with an ounce of sense and awareness should have the right to use a green lane. i ask if vehicles aren't aloud off the road then why are they aloud on the road? Really whats the difference?

John Horner
Depends on the sustainability of the trail,But definiteley horse.cycle and foot.

Trevor Waterfield
green lanes should be open to all it gives people with less ability to walk to remote place the chance to drive there

David Maddock
It's a shame that you chose to take a trip with someone like Polly Bolton, who has such a closed mind. Perhaps you should take a trip with a vehicular user to provide some balance to the argument. Additionally the term "Green Lane" has no legal basis, we should be using terms such as footpath, bridleway, and byway open to all traffic.

Robert James Bowker
I hate country lanes. I live down a country lane and when it snows or rains heavily, I get cut off from the rest of the world!!!! They're swines and all need levelling and resurfacing.

p.bowket
access to green lanes should be allowed to all that want to enjoy.that means motor horse or foot

Brian Keith
Green Lanes should kept Green. No Motors no bikes foot or horse only please.